Method and apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textile machine to a carrying device

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for transferring full yarn packages from a textile machine such as an open-end spinning machine which is provided with a conveyor for discharging full yarn packages doffed from each operation unit, to a carrying device. The carrying attitude of the full yarn packages is corrected while the yarn packages are being carried by the conveyer. At the discharge terminal portion of the conveyer, each yarn package is temporarily held at a predetermined correct position directly above the container chamber of a carrying device and then dropped into the container chamber.

United States Patent Miyazaki et al.

[ Sept. 23, 1975 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING YARN PACKAGESFROM A TEXTILE MACHINE TO A CARRYING DEVICE lnventors: Tsutomu Miyazaki;Takashi Kato,

both of Kariya; Yoshihisa Suzuki, Nagoya; Toshio Yoshizawa, Chiryu;Shozo Ueda, Kariya, all of Japan Assignees: Daiwa Boseki KabushikiKaisha;

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyodo Jidoshokki Siesakusho, Osaka, both of JapanFiled: June 18, 1974 Appl. N0.: 480,392

Foreign Application Priority Data June 22, 1973 Japan 48-71043 US. Cl57/53; 57/34 R; 242/355; 57/156 Int. Cl D0lh 9/10; D0lh 1/12; B651154/02 Field of Search 57/34 R, 52, 53, 54, 156; 242/355 R, 35.6 R, 35.5A, 41

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.382.659 5/1968 Schulzetal57/54 3.552.666 l/197l Stenhams 242/355 R 3,791,126 2/1974 Kose ctal.... 57/53 3,850,378 11/1974 Savio 242/355 R Primary E,raminerDonaldE. Watkins Attorney, Agent, or FirmBurgess, Ryan and Wayne [57] ABSTRACTMethod and apparatus for transferring full yarn packages from a textilemachine such as an open-end spinning machine which is provided with aconveyer for discharging full yarn packages doffed from each operationunit. to a carrying device. The carrying attitude of the full yarnpackages is corrected while the yarn packages are being carried by theconveyer. At the discharge terminal portion of the conveyer, each yarnpackage is temporarily held at a predetermined correct position directlyabove the container chamber of a carrying device and then dropped intothe container chamber.

11 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of73,906,712

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of7 3,906,712

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of7 3,906,712

US Patant Sept. 23,1975 Sheet4 of"! 3,906,712

US Patent Se t. 23 1975 Sheet 6 of7 3,906,712

Fig. 7A

Fig. 7C

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 7 of7 3,906,712

Fig. 8A

Fig. 85 Fig. 8C

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING YARN PACKAGES FROM A TEXTILEMACHINE T() A CARRYING DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a method and apparatus for transferring yarnpackages froma textile machine to a carrying device, and moreparticularly to a method and apparatus for transferring yarn packagesfrom a textile machine provided with a conveying means, to a carryingdevice.

In a textile machine provided with a conveying means such as an endlessconveyer mounted along the lengthwise direction of the machine, it iswell known that the yarn packages carried to an end of the conveyer aretransferred to a carrying device directly or through a chute such as asliding plate. However, in the abovementioned transferring method, theyarn packages tend to pile up in a disorderly fashion in the carryingdevice,

because generally there are no means for correcting the condition of theyarn packages which occurs during transfer. The yarn packages also tendto be displaced by their moments of inertia. Consequently, the handlingefficiency of the yarn packages in the subsequent process issignificantly decreased.

The principal object of the present invention is to eliminate theabove-mentioned undesirable feature of the conventional transferringmethod and apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic yarnpackage-transferring apparatus.

To attain these objects, in the present invention related to the textilemachinery provided with a conveyer means, the position of the yarnpackages carried by the conveying means is corrected duringtransportation toward the carrying terminal of the conveyer means. Theyarn packages are then temporarily held by positioning means, in aposition directly above the carrying device. Thereafter, the yarnpackages are dropped into the carrying device upon release of packagesby the positioning means.

According to the present invention, the abovementioned transferringmethod is carried out by an automatic apparatus which is capable ofhandling a plurality of textile machines, each provided with the novelconveyer means.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS tion of-an automatic transferringapparatus and a carrying device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the transferring apparatusshown inFIG.

FIGS. 7A .and 7B are schematic diagrams showing the relative arrangementof textile machineries together with the above-mentioned automatictransferring apparatus shown in FIG. 5, respectively;

FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram showing the relative arrangement oftextile machines together with a modified automatic transferringapparatus. I

FIG. 8A is a schematicelevational view of the entire machine providedwith the automatic transferring apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 88, 8C, 8D and 8E are schematic elevational views of thetransferring apparatus according to the present invention together witha part of a textile machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The fully packaged bobbintransferring apparatus according to the present invention is hereinafterexplained in detail, as applied to an open-end spinning machine providedwith a conveying means. Therefore, before explaining the constructionand function of the transferring apparatus, a brief explanation of theopenend spinning apparatus is presented. Referring to FIG. 1, in theopen-end spinning machine 1, a yarn delivered from a spinning unit 2 iswound on a bobbin 4 which is driven by a take-up drum 3 and rotatablyheld by a pair of cradles 5 so as to form a full size yarn package 6. Aconveyer belt 7 is disposed at a position between a pair of alignedtake-up drums 3 in such a way that the conveyer belt 7 is disposed at anintermediate position between a pair of aligned open-end spinning-units2. When a spinning counter (not shown) mounted on the spinning machine 1detects the predetermined size of a yarn package just before thepreselected full size of the yarn package is reached, an. indicatinglamp is turned on. Thereafter, an operator prepares a carrying box at apredetermined position adjacent to an end portion of the spinningmachine I and also prepares fresh bobbins to be mounted on each spinningunit, and other related operations are carried out. And when theabove-mentioned spinning counter detects that the size of the yarnpackage formed in each spinning unit 2 reaches a predetermined fullsize, the spinning counter issues a signal indicating termination of theunit spinning operation for forming the full yarn package and anotherlamp is turned on by this signal issuing from the spinning counter. Theoperator can then confirm the termination of the unit spinningoperation, and the doffing operation for removing the full yarn packagefrom the cradle 5 of each spinning unit 2, to the conveyer belt 7 iscarried out by the operator; thereafter, fresh bobbins are manuallymounted on the respective cradles 5 to continue the spinning operation.Y

The conveyer belt 7, is cleaned by means of a cleaning device comprisinga brush 8 and a nozzle 9 (FIG. 2), and is driven prior to theabove-mentioned doffing operation. The doffing operation may be carriedout by utilizing as an automatic doffmg apparatus, an apparatus such asthat disclosed in pending patent applications Ser. No. 460,086and-443,958.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the yarn packages 6 transferred to theconveyer belt 7 are carried to an end portion of the conveyer belt 7,and then transferred to a carrying device 20 by way of a device fortemporarily positioning the yarn package 6. This positioning device ishereinafter represented by reference numeral 10. The positioning device10 is mounted on the spinning machine 1 at a position directly above theposition where the carrying device 20 is positioned. When the yarnpackages 6 are transferred on the conveyer belt 7 from the spinningunitsby the doffing operation, these yarn packages 6 are haphazardedlyplaced on the conveyor belt 7; however, the disorderly arrangement ofthese yarn packages 6 is corrected by means of a correction guide 11disposed at a position above the carrying passage of the conveyer belt7. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the correction guide 11 isprovided with a guide surface inclined in the carrying direction so asto permit passage of a yarn package 6 in a standing position on theconveyer belt 7. ln the openend spinning machine I, the diameter of fullyarn package is suffieiently larger than the length of the bobbin 4.Therefore, the upright holding position is the most stable.

A plate 12 covers an end portion of the conveyer belt 7 as shown in FIG.2. This plate 12 extends to a position adjacent to the positioningdevice 10, therefore, the yarn package 6 carried by the conveyer belt 7is trans ferred to the plate 12 after passing below the correction guide11. The plate 12 is provided with a pair of upright guide plates 13formed at both lengthwise edges thereof. Therefore. the yarn package 6is capable of sliding on the plate 12 along the guide plates 13.

The positioning device is provided with a yarn package receiving member14 which is capable of temporarily receiving a yarn package 6 from theabovementioned plate 12. The package receiving member 14 comprises apair of receiving plates 15a and 1512 which are rotatably held by thesupporting pins 160 and 1612 which are stationarily mounted on thepositioning device 10. The shapes of the plates 15a and 15h areidentical and each is provided with a semicircular cut-out portion so asto form a round aperture when they are respectively horizontallypositioned. The size or diameter of the above-mentioned round apertureis so designed that an end of the bobbin 4 of the yarn package 6 can befreely engaged therein. Therefore, when a yarn package 6 is transferredfrom the plate 12 to the horizontally positioned receiving plates 15aand 15b of the package receiving member 14, the yarn package 6 can beheld at a holding position defined by the abovementioned round aperture.Therefore, even though the size of the yarn package 6 may vary, all yarnpackages 6 can be positioned at the above-mentioned holding position.The sliding motion of the yarn package 6 from the plate 12 to thepackage receiving member 14 is created by a moment of inertia due to thecarrying motion of the conveyer belt 7. The package receiving member 14is provided with a photoelectric detector 17 (FIG. 4) comprising a lightprojector 17:: and a photocell 1717 which receives the light from thelight projector 17a (FIG. 3). They are positioned so as to create alight beam from the projector 170 to the photocell 17!), the path of thebeam passing just above the horizontal receiving plates 15a and 1512.Therefore, when the light beam is interrupted by a yarn package 6 heldby the receiving plates 15a and 15b, the photocell 17h issues a signal.

Referring to FIG. 4, a solenoid 18 is rigidly mounted on the frame ofthe package receiving member 14. A T-shaped lever 21 is connected to aplunger 19 of the solenoid l8, and the receiving plate 150 ispinconnccted to an end 2111 of the T-shaped lever 21 by way of aconnecting lever 2211, while the receiving plate 1511 is pin-connectedto an end 2117 of the T-shaped lever 21 by way of a connecting lever22b. Therefore, when the solenoid 18 is actuated by the signal issuedfrom the photocell 17h, the plunger 19 is pulled upward, so that thereceiving plates 15:: and 1517 are turned from their horizontal positionto the respective positions represented by the dot-dash line in FIG. 4,in other words, the receiving plates 15a and 15b are opened. As aresult, the yarn package 6 held by the receiving plates 15a and 15b isdropped into the carrying device 20 disposed at a position directlybelow the positioning device 10. A limit switch 24 is disposed at a position where the T-shaped lever 21 is capable of actuating the switch 24when the plunger 19 is pulled upward. The limit switch 24 issues anelectric signal to deenergize the solenoid 18 so that the receivingplates 15a and 1512 are returned to their respective horizontalpositionsln positions. In above-mentioned embodiment, it is useful toutilize a conventional delay timer switch to delay the actuation of thesolenoid 18 after the photocell 17b has issued a signal, in order tocreate a stable transfer operation of the positioning device 10.

The above-mentioned transfer ofa full yarn package 6 to the carryingdevice 20 is repeated, and when the carrying device 20 is filled with anumber of full yarn packages 6, the carrying device 20 is displaced fromthe position directly below the positioning device 10 and an emptycarrying device 20 is placed in the receiving position.

To confirm the number of full yarn packages 6 received by the carryingdevice 20, a counter (not shown) is mounted on the positioning device10. The counter is actuated by a signal issued from the photocell l7h atthe same that the solenoid 18 is actuated.

This counter may also be actuated by a signal issued from the limitswitch 24. When the counter indicates that a predetermined number offull yarn packages 6 have been tranferred from the conveyer belt 7 tothe carrying device 20, the operator manually operatas a switch (notshown) which controls a connection circuit between a driving mechanismof the conveyer belt and an electric source, whereby driving of theconveyer belt 7 can be stopped and the carrying device 20 is displacedfrom the receiving position. Since the abovementioned transfer operationof the full yarn packages 6 is carried out intermittently, because ofthe intermittent motion of the receiving plates 15a and 15!), it isuseful to place a door (not shown) at a position between the conveyerbelt 7 and the positioning device in such a way that the door may opensynchronously with the intermittent motion of the positioning device 10.However, in the conventional open-end spinning machine, the timeinterval between two successive full yarn packages 6 arriving at thepositioning device 10 is greater than the time interval between twosuccessive motions of the positioning device 10, so the abovementioneddoor may be omitted.

According to our experience, if a low count yarn is produced by theopen-end spinning machine, or if a socalled high speed winding operationis carried out, the time required to complete the winding operation forproducing a full. size yam package is comparatively short in comparisonto winding 21 fine count yarn. In the above circumstances, it ispreferable to mount the above-mentioned positioning device 10 in astationary manner on each textile machine. However, in the case ofproducing a high count yarn, or applying low speed winding, or forming alarge full yarn package, the time interval between two successivedoffing operations becomes so long that it may be preferable to use adisplaceable positioning device which can be utilized, as commonequipment, for a group of textile machines.

FIGS. 5 and 6 disclose an embodiment of the abovementioned displaceablepositioning device together with a carrying device. In these drawings, apair of track rails 27 are supported by a bracket 28 rigidly mounted oneach machine frame of a group of textile machines. A positioning device29 is provided with a pair of track wheels 30 which are capable ofrolling on thetrack rails 27 so that the positioning device 29 isdisplaceably suspended from the track rails 27 as shown in FIG. 5. Adriving motor 31 is mounted on the frame of the positioning device 29,and a shaft 300 of the track wheels 30 is driven by the motor 31 througha gear train composed of a gear 32 mounted on a motor shaft 31a, andgear 33 mounted on the shaft 30a in such a way that the gear 32 mesheswith the gear 33. A trolley 34 is supported by the brackets 28 of thegroup of the textile machines in an arrangement parallel to the rails27. An electrically conductive roller 35 is mounted on the positioningdevice 29 in such a way that the roller 35 is in constant contact withan electrode wire 36 disposed in the trolley 34. An electrical controlmechanism 37 is disposed in the positioning device 29 and is connectedto the roller 35 and to an electric photocell 64 for detecting a textilemachine which requires operation and to an electric photocell 71 whichconfirms the completion of the transferring oporation. The mechanism 37is further connected to a solenoid 18 for actuating the receiving platesa and 15b and to a photocell 17b for detecting a full yarn package 6held at the horizontal position of the receiving plates 15a and 1519.Further connection is made a counter 40 (FIG. 6) for counting the numberof yarn packages 6 transferred into the carrying device and to a signaltransmission device 41, respectively.

A pair of track rails 42 are mounted on the base floor at a positionbeside an end of the textile machine 1. The carrying device 20 isprovided with a pair of track wheels 43 which are capable of rolling onthe rails 42. A driving motor 44 is mounted on the carrying device 20and the track wheels 43 are driven by a power transmission mechanismcomprising a gear train composed of a gear 46 mounted on a motor shaft44a, and a gear 47 mounted on an intermediate shaft 45, a sprocket wheeldriving mechanism composed of a sprocket wheel 48 mounted on theintermediate shaft 45"and a sprocket wheel 49 mounted on a shaft 43a ofthe track wheels 43 and an endless chain 50 connecting the sprocketwheels 48 and 49. A trolley 51 is disposed in the floor and anelectrically conductive roller 52 is mounted on the carrying device 20in constant contact with the trolley 51. A control box 53 is mounted onthe carrying device 20. The control box 53 is connected to limitswitches 54 and 55 and the driving motor 44. The carrying device 20 isprovided with a container composed of a plurality of chambers 56separated by separation plates 57 (FIG. 6). Each chamber 56 is providedwith a metallic projection 59 which actuates a non contact type limitswitch 58 mounted on the textile machine 1. The carrying device 20 isprovided with a rack 61 which is capable of intermittently displacingthe chambers 56 by means of engaging with a intermittent drivingmechanism 60 mounted on the textile machine 1.

In this embodiment, a counter 62 is mounted on the textile machine so asto detect a predetermined condition corresponding to the size of theyarn package just prior to attaining the predetermined full size of theyarn package, and a lamp 63 mounted on the machine 1 is lighted by asignal issued from the counter 62. A photocell 64 is mounted on thepositioning device 29 at a position facilitating reception of a lightbeam projected from the lamp 63. A magnetic stopper (not shown) ismounted on the textile machine 1 at a position which allows engagementwith a notch (not shown) secured to the frame of the positioning device10 when the counter 62 issues the above-mentioned signal. Thepositioning device 10 normally runs along the track rail 27.

However, when the counter 62 issues a signal to stop the positioningdevice 10 at a correct working position thereof, the lamp directs alight beam toward the passage of the positioning device 10 and theabovernentioned magnetic stopper projects to the passage of the notch ofthe positioning device 10. And when the photocell 64 of the positioningdevice 10 receives the light projected from the lamp 63, the controlmechanism 37 is actuated by the signal issued from the photocell 64 sothat the connection between the motor 31 and the conductive roller 35 isopened. Consequently, the motor 31 is stopped. In this condition, theposition ing device 10 moves slightly by its moment of inertia, however,as the above-mentioned magnetic stopper en gages with the notch, thepositioning device 10 is stopped at a correct working position thereof.

The textile machine 1 is also provided with a stopper 65 (FIG. 6) whichis actuated by a magnetic means 66 at a position facilitating contactwith a limit switch 54 mounted on the carrier device 20. The magneticmeans 66 is actuated by a signal issued from the counter 62, and thestopper 65 projects forward toward the carrying passage of the carryingdevice 20. The stopper 65 is provided with an engageable piece (notshown) which is capable of engaging with a notch member secured to theframe of the carrying device 20 when the stopper 65 projects forward.Therefore, when the counter 62 issues a signal to stop the carryingdevice 20, the magnetic means 66 is-actuated to project the stopper 65forward. Therefore, when the limit switch 54 of the carrying device 20contacts the stopper 65, the control mechanism 53 opens the connectionbetween the motor 44 and the conductive roller 52 so that the driving ofthe carrying device 20 is stopped. As the engageable piece of thestopper 65 is simultaneously engaged with the notch of the carryingdevice 20, the carrying device 20 is stopped at the correct workingposition thereof which is directly below the positioning device 10 whichis also stopped-at the correct working position thereof. In thiscondition, the limit switch 58 is actuated by the metallic projection59, and the intermittent driving mechanism 60 is actuated so as toengage the rack 61. Then, the counter 62 detects the predeterminedcondition of full yarn packages, and actuates a lamp (behind photocell72) mounted on the textile machine 1 so as to direct a light beam towardthe positioning device 29. A control mechanism 68 is mounted on thetextile machine to control the operations of machine 1, which includecontrolling the driving motor 69 for driving the conveyer belt 7.

A dog driving mechanism 74 is mounted on the textile machine 1 at aposition to actuate the limit switch 55 which closes the electricalconnection between the motor 44 and the conductive roller 52 by way ofthe action of the control mechanism 53. When the abovementioncd counter62 issues a signal indicating the completion of a unit windingoperation, the motor 69 is driven by the action of the control mechanism68 which is actuated by the signal issued from the counter 62. When theconveyer belt 7 is driven, the yarn packages 6 doffed from therespective operation units, such as'spinning units, are successivelydisplaced to the plate 12 one by one, and then displaced onto thereceiving member 14 of the positioning device 29. When the photocell 17bdetects that a yarn package 6 is held on the receiving member 14, thereceiving plates a and 15b (FIG. 6) are opened by the motion of thesolenoid 18 which is actuated by a signal issued from the photocell l7band the yarn package 6 is dropped into the containing chamber 56 of thecarrying device 20. A counter 70, disposed in the positioning device 29,is actuated by a signal issued from the photocell 17b when a light beamprojected from the light projector 17a toward the photocell 17b isinterrupted by a yarn package 6'held on the receiving member 14 When thecounter 70 detects that a predetermined number of yarn packages 6 havebeen dropped into the container chamber 56, the counter 70 issues asignal via the electric control mechanism 37, to a light projector 71mounted on the positioning device. A photocell 72 is mounted on thetextile machine 1 at a position facing the light projector 71 and thephotocell 72 is connected to the electric control mechanism 68 which iscapable of actuating the intermittent driving mechanism 60. Therefore,when the counter 70 issues a signal, the light projector 7 I creates alight beam, whereby the photocell 72 issues an electric signal so thatthe intermittently driving mechanism 60 is actuated. As a consequence ofthe driving mechanism 60 being actuated,

the carrying device is displaced, and when the metallic projection 59secured to an outside frame of the next container chamber 57 actuatesthe limit switch 58, the motion of the driving mechanism 60 is stoppedby the action of the control mechanism 68 which was initiated by asignal issued from the limit switch 58. Therefore, the next containerchamber 56 is positioned at the correct receiving position thereof,below the positioning device 29. The previously mentioned transferringmotion of the yarn packages 6 into the carrying device 20 issuccessively carried out for container chambers 56 of the carryingdevice 20, and when the transfer operation to all container chambers 56is completed, the counter 2 is manually returned to the starting pointand lamp 75 is switched off. Consequently, the intermittent drivingmechanism 60 is displaced in the textile machine so that mechanism 60 isdisengaged from the rack 61, and the dog driving mechanism 74 isoperated to drive the carrying device 20. The lamp 75 is lighted by thesignal issued from the counter 62. A photocell 76 (FIG. 6) is mounted onthe positioning device 29 at a position for receiving the light from thelamp 75, and the photocell in turn, issues a signal to close theelectrical connection between the motor 31 and the conductive roller 35by the action of the control mechanism 37. Therefore, when the counter62 is operated manually after completion of the previously mentionedtransferring operation, the lamp 75 is lighted, so that the photocell 76issues a signal to drive the motor 31 as mentioned above. Therefore, thepositioning device 29 is displaced from the above-mentioned workingposition to the next textile machine which requires carrying out theyarn package transferring operation along the rails 27. At the sametime, the dog driving mechanism 74 as actuated by the signal issued fromthe counter 62 so that the limit switch 55 actuates the controlmechanism 53 in order to close the electrical connection between themotor 44 and the conductive roller 52. Therefore, the carrying device 20containing a predetermined number of full yarn packages is displacedfrom the above-mentioned working position to the successive process.

In the above explanation, the construction of the electrical controlmechanisms 37, 53 and 68 are not explained. However, it should beunderstood that a combination of magnetic relays which open or close theelectric circuit connecting the electric source and the motor orelectric source and actuation means may preferably be used for thesecontrol mechanisms. Under these circumstances, the magentic relays areactuated by a signal from the limit switch or photocell.

In the practical application of the transferring apparatus according tothe present invention, there are provided several combinations of thestationary positioning device with the above-mentioned displaceablecarrying device, or the above-mentioned displaceable positioning deviceand the displaceable carrying device. In FIGS. 7A through 7C and FIGS.8A through 8E, several practical embodiments of the transferringapparatus according to the present invention, are disclosed. That is, inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, each textile machine I isprovided with a stationary positioning device 10 mounted on respectivemachine frames and a common carrying device 20, which has bothconstruction and function similar to the carrying device 20 shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, is utilized for a group of textile machines 1. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 78, a common displaceable positioning device 10and a common carrying device 20 which are disclosed in FIGS. 5, 6 and8C, are utilized for a group of textile machines l. However, a type ofdisplaceable positioning device 10, which is capable of displacementalong a rail disposed on the floor as shown in FIG. 8B, may also beused. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7C, a modified apparatuscomprising a displaceable positioning device provided with a containerchamber, is disclosed. The displaceable positioning device 10 is capableof displacement along a guide rail disposed on the floor. Instead ofutilizing a carrying device 10, a conveyer belt 80 may be used in such away that it passes the receiving positions below the working positionsof the displaceable positioning device 20 at the respective textilemachines 1 as shown in FIGS. 7C and 8D.

As previously explained in detail, according to the present invention,in the textile machine, the positions of the full yarn packages beingcarried by the conveyer belt, are firstly corrected enroute to thepositioning device, and then they are temporarily held at apredetermined position above the container chambcr of the carryingdevice. Therefore, when the yarn packages are dropped into the containerchamber of the carrying device, each yarn package is correctlypositioned in stable condition in the container chamber even though thesize of the yarn packages may vary. Even if the yarn packages are heldby pegs secured by the carrying device, the above-mentioned dropping ofthe yarn packages from the positioning device is helpful to mount theyarn packages on the respective pegs.

what is claimed is:

l. A method for transferring yarn packages doffed from units of atextile machine provided with a discharge conveyer leading to a carryingdevice disposed at a position below a position close to the outside of acarrying terminal of said discharge conveyer, comprising a first step ofcorrecting the carrying positions of said yarn packages while said yarnpackages are being carried to said carrying terminal, a second step ofmoving said yarn packages on said conveyer to a selected dischargeposition, temporarily holding said yarn packages at said preselectedposition and close to the outside of said carrying terminal of saidconveyer, said yarn packages being received, one by one, from saiddischarge conveyer in the correct carrying position, and a third step ofdropping said yarn packages into said carrying device.

2. A method for transferring yarn packages from a textile machine into acarrying device according to claim 1, wherein, said second step furthercomprises the step of supporting a bobbin of said yarn package insubstantially upright condition.

3. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages doffed fromoperation-units of a textile machine, provided with a discharge conveyerleading to a carrying device disposed at a position below a positionclose to the outside of a carrying terminal of said discharge conveyer,comprising means for correcting the carrying position of yarn packageson said conveyer, means for temporarily positioning said correctlypositioned yarn packages received from said conveyer at a position closeto the outside of a terminal of said conveyer, means for detecting theexistence of a yarn package on said positioning means, said positioningmeans provided with means for supporting and discharging said yarnpackage, and an actuation means for operating said supporting anddischaging means, said actuation means being actuatable by a controlsignal issued from said detecting means.

4. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages fro a textile machineinto a carrying device according to claim 3, further comprising a platemember disposed at a terminal portion of said conveyer, said platemember being provided with a pair of guide plates projected upward fromboth lengthwise edges thereof to form a conduit shaped guide member.

5. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textile machineinto a carrying device according to claim 3, wherein said correctingmeans comprises a guide member disposed close to and above said conveyeralong the carrying passage thereof, the distance between said guidemember and said carrying passage being dependent upon the carryingposition of said yarn packages.

6. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textile machineinto a carrying device according to claim 3, wherein said positioningmeans is mounted in stationary condition on an end portion of saidtextile machine.

7. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textile machineinto a carrying device according to claim 3, further comprising, incombination, a carrying means displaceable along a guide passage arounda group of textile machines, said positioning means being mounted onsaid carrying means, each of said textile machines provided with a firstmeans for issuing a sinal to indicate a request for said supportingmeans and a second means for issuing a signal to indicate thatdisplacement of said supporting means therefrom can be carried out, saidcarrying means provided with driving means and control means foractuating and stopping said driving means according to signals from saidfirst and second signal issuing means.

8. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages froma textile machineinto a carrying device according to from a 7, wherein said carryingdevice is automatically displaceable along a guide passage around saidgroup of textile machines, said carrying device being provided with adriving means and control means for actuating or stopping said drivingmeans according to signals issued from said textile machine.

9. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textile machineinto a carrying device according to claim 3, wherein said supporting anddischarging means of said positioning means comprises a pair ofreceiving plates swingably mounted on the bottom of said positioningmeans, each of said receiving plates being provided with a semicircularcut-out portion formed at an edge portion thereof, such that saidsemicircular cut-out portions of the receiving plates form a roundaperture having a diameter larger than the diameter of a bobbin' of saidyarn package when said receiving plates are closed.

10. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textile machineinto a carrying device according to claim 3, wherein said detectingmeans comprises a light source for creating a light beam and positionedto pass through a support position of a yarn package in said supportingand discharging means, and a photocell for receiving said light beamprojected from said light ejector.

11. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textile machineinto a carrying device according to claim 3, wherein said actuationmeans of said supporting and discharging means is a solenoid.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF QQRRECTWN Patent N DatedSeptember 23,

lnventofls) Tsutomu Miyazaki t 1 It is certified that error appears inthe above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 14: Cancel "In positions".

Column 10, line 12: Change "sinal" to --signa1----o line 20: Change"froma" to -from a@ line 22: Change "from a" to --claims-.,

gigned and fiealcd this twentieth Day of Aprill976 [SEAL] Attest.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Altesting Officer Commissioner uj'latcntsand Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QETIFICATE OF CORRECTION aPatent 3,906,712 Dated September 23,1975

Inventofls) Tsutomu Miyazaki, et a1 It is certified that error appearsin the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below: a

On the title page, please change the spelling of the name of theassignee "Kabushiki Kaisha Toyodo Jidoshokki O Siesakusho" to KabushikiKaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho-- Bigncd and ficalcd this 0 atwenty-fifth Day of May 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

Q RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofPatents and Trademarks

1. A method for transferring yarn packages doffed from units of atextile machine provided with a discharge conveyer leading to a carryingdevice disposed at a position below a position close to the outside of acarrying terminal of said discharge conveyer, comprising a first step ofcorrecting the carrying positions of said yarn packages while said yarnpackages are being carried to said carrying terminal, a second step ofmoving said yarn packages on said conveyer to a selected dischargeposition, temporarily holding said yarn packages at said preselectedposition and close to the outside of said carrying terminal of saidconveyer, said yarn packages being received, one by one, from saiddischarge conveyer in the correct carrying position, and a third step ofdropping said yarn packages into said carrying device.
 2. A method fortransferring yarn packages from a textile machine into a carrying deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein, said second step further comprises thestep of supporting a bobbin of said yarn package in substantiallyupright condition.
 3. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages doffedfrom operation-units of a textile machine, provided with a dischargeconveyer leading to a carrying device disposed at a position below aposition close to the outside of a carrying terminal of said dischargeconveyer, comprising means for correcting the carrying position of yarnpackages on said conveyer, means for temporarily positioning saidcorrectly positioned yarn packages received from said conveyer at aposition close to the outside of a terminal of said conveyer, means fordetecting the existence of a yarn package on said positioning means,said positioning means provided with means for supporting anddischarging said yarn package, and an actuation means for operating saidsupporting and dischaging means, said actuation means being actuatableby a control signal issued from said detecting means.
 4. An apparatusfor transferring yarn packages from a textile machine into a carryingdevice according to claim 3, further comprising a plate member disposedat a terminal portion of said conveyer, said plate member being providedwith a pair of guide plates projected upward from both lengthwise edgesthereof to form a conduit shaped guide member.
 5. An apparatus fortransferring yarn packages from a textile machine into a carrying deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein said correcting means comprises a guidemember disposed close to and above said conveyer along the carryingpassage thereof, the distance between said guide member and saidcarrying passage being dependent upon the carryiNg position of said yarnpackages.
 6. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textilemachine into a carrying device according to claim 3, wherein saidpositioning means is mounted in stationary condition on an end portionof said textile machine.
 7. An apparatus for transferring yarn packagesfrom a textile machine into a carrying device according to claim 3,further comprising, in combination, a carrying means displaceable alonga guide passage around a group of textile machines, said positioningmeans being mounted on said carrying means, each of said textilemachines provided with a first means for issuing a sinal to indicate arequest for said supporting means and a second means for issuing asignal to indicate that displacement of said supporting means therefromcan be carried out, said carrying means provided with driving means andcontrol means for actuating and stopping said driving means according tosignals from said first and second signal issuing means.
 8. An apparatusfor transferring yarn packages froma textile machine into a carryingdevice according to from a 7, wherein said carrying device isautomatically displaceable along a guide passage around said group oftextile machines, said carrying device being provided with a drivingmeans and control means for actuating or stopping said driving meansaccording to signals issued from said textile machine.
 9. An apparatusfor transferring yarn packages from a textile machine into a carryingdevice according to claim 3, wherein said supporting and dischargingmeans of said positioning means comprises a pair of receiving platesswingably mounted on the bottom of said positioning means, each of saidreceiving plates being provided with a semicircular cut-out portionformed at an edge portion thereof, such that said semicircular cut-outportions of the receiving plates form a round aperture having a diameterlarger than the diameter of a bobbin of said yarn package when saidreceiving plates are closed.
 10. An apparatus for transferring yarnpackages from a textile machine into a carrying device according toclaim 3, wherein said detecting means comprises a light source forcreating a light beam and positioned to pass through a support positionof a yarn package in said supporting and discharging means, and aphotocell for receiving said light beam projected from said lightejector.
 11. An apparatus for transferring yarn packages from a textilemachine into a carrying device according to claim 3, wherein saidactuation means of said supporting and discharging means is a solenoid.